Refrigerator with temperature control

Abstract

A refrigerator having a main body including a refrigerating compartment, a cool air duct supplying cool air to the refrigerating compartment, and a sub storage compartment provided in the main body independently maintaining a temperature thereof with respect to the refrigerating compartment and being indirectly cooled or indirectly heated by radiation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application Nos. 2006-0005490, filed on Jan. 18, 2006 and 2006-0005491, filed on Jan. 18, 2006, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a refrigerator and an operating method therefor, and more particularly, a refrigerator and an operating method therefor controlling the temperature of a sub storage compartment separately provided to a main body.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Generally, a refrigerator generates cool air through a cooling cycle to preserve food for a period of time, and includes a freezing compartment storing food frozen below the freezing point, a refrigerating compartment storing food refrigerated above the freezing point, and a cooling system cooling the freezing compartment and the refrigeratin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a refrigerator and operating method that minimizes unnecessary cooling and heating operations, resulting in improved freshness of food. This is achieved by providing a sub storage compartment that can maintain a temperature separate from the refrigerating compartment, and a heat transferring member that can transfer heat or cold by radiation to the separate compartment. The sub cool air duct supplies cool air to the heat transferring member, and the damper controls the cool air supply. The sub storage compartment includes an insulation member and an outer casing to further enhance energy efficiency. The control part determines maximum and upper limits for the sub storage compartment temperature based on the set temperature, and the heater is turned off if the temperature reaches the maximum limit. The invention also provides a refrigerator with a separate storage compart that can be cooled by a temperature difference between the compartments.

Problems solved by technology

However, in the conventional refrigerator, cool air and heat are directly supplied into the independent compartment to be contacted to food stored therein, and accordingly, moisture for the food is evaporated, which thereby deteriorates freshness of the food.

Also, in the case that the temperature of the independent compartment needs to be decreased after the heater is operated to increase the temperature thereof, the fan of the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment needs to be operated, thereby increasing power consumption.

Also, in the case that the temperature of the independent compartment needs be increased after cool air is supplied to decrease the temperature thereof, the heater needs to be operated, thereby increasing power consumption.

Also, in the case that the temperature of the independent compartment needs to be increased while the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment is cooled, the heater and the fan must be simultaneously operated, thereby deteriorating energy efficiency.

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